‘North East Tourism Development Council’ to promote sustainable tourism in NE region launched

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the “North East Calling” festival, here today. The “North East Calling” event is being organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India under its ‘Destination North East’ series of this year. The purpose of the event is to promote the art, culture, heritage, cuisine, handicrafts, business and tourism of North East India.

On the above occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh also launched ‘North East Venture Fund’, which is a joint initiative of Ministry of DoNER and North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. The objective of the fund is to promote entrepreneurship and Start up in the North Eastern Region. It is the first dedicated Venture Fund for the region with a corpus of Rs 100 crores. The Minister also launched North East Tourism Development Council with objective to promote sustainable tourism in North East India.

The Business to Business (B2B) conference is also being organised during the event. On the occasion, three MoUs were also signed in the presence of the Minister. The first MoU was signed between North East Tourism Development Council and the Yes Bank. The other two MoUs were signed with the Ministry under Science & Technology Interventions in the North East Region (STINER) aiming at enabling STINER and promoting NISARGRUNA technology of BARC in bio-energy technology in association with Tripura State.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh complemented that Ministry of DoNER and the young Assistant Secretaries attached to this Ministry, for giving their commitment and passion in organising this event. He also appealed to the public to come and visit the festival and understand the richness of culture of North East. He said that that such events will not only enrich the economy and culture of North Eastern region, but will also bring the rest of India more closer to the North East. He said that the development, upliftment and growth of North East has been on the priority of the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He said that the focus has not only been bringing North East closer to the rest of country, but also to bring rest of India closer to the North East. He said that these events, that too in the heart of National Capital, help the artisans and people of North East to showcase their talent. He also informed that similar events will be organised in various parts of the country in future. He said that Ministry had organised ‘Destination North East’ festival in Chandigarh recently. The Minister said that there is a lot to learn from North East for the rest of India. He said that some states of North East are having two digit growth rate and the literacy rate is also high in this region. He said that rest of India also needs to follow North East in terms of cleanliness.

Highlighting the initiatives taken by the Ministry for the North East region, the Minister said that the DoNER Ministry had introduced a concept of “DoNER at doorstep”. He said that during each given fortnight, at least eight Union Ministers from New Delhi visit Northeast which means that one Minister each is available in each of the eight States every 15 days. This helps them to make an assessment of the development works related to their Ministries and also enables them to gain first-hand inputs from the local population there, he added. He said that ‘Purbashree’ stalls have been set up at Dilli Haat for the products of North East region. He also said that the rail and air connectivity is also on the focus of the Government.

Highlighting other initiatives, the Minister said that foundation stone of Barak Hostel in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus was laid this year. He also said that last year, the Foundation Stone of a Hostel exclusively for Northeast girl students was laid in Bangalore University. He also informed that a North Eastern Cultural and Information Centre will be set up in Delhi soon. He said that Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has allotted a land measuring 5341.75 sqm. (1.32 acre) at Sector-13, Dwarka, New Delhi, to North Eastern Council (NEC) for the purpose of construction of this Centre. He also talked about setting up of “Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research & Analysis” at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong and Brahmaputra Study Centre in the Guwahati University.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Naveen Verma, Secretary (DoNER) said that this event has been coordinated with the efforts put by the Assistant Secretaries attached to the Ministry. He said that this event coincides with the 16th Anniversary of the Ministry. He said that this is an occasion to take stock of the achievements and also to introspect what needs to be done.

Dr. R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government also complemented the Ministry of DoNER and said that they are ready to provide any support to the Ministry.

The senior officers the Ministry were also present on the occasion.

The Closing Ceremony of the event will be held here tomorrow evening. The Cabinet Secretary Shri P K Sinha will be the Chief Guest at the Closing Ceremony. During the Closing Ceremony, winners of various contests (Photography and Caption Contest, video contest, Choreography Contest for Colleges on the theme “Connect NE”, Quiz Competition for schools and colleges, Best North-Eastern attire in the crowd, Home Chef Contest) will be awarded.

The two-day event includes showcase of rich culture of North East, including Music Festival for bands of North-East, Cultural Night for Dances of North-East, Handloom Demo Show presenting the clothes of North-East, Exhibitions of activities being undertaken in NE, stalls by various Central Government ministries showcasing the works being undertaken by them in the region, stalls by State Governments offering opportunities in their states, stalls for Sale of products of NERAMAC and NEHHDC, variety of food stalls including sale of delicacies of NE, contests for all sections of young population to expose them to NE, B2B Summits on Food Processing, Tourism and Start-up opportunities in the North-East.

The entry to this two-day event, being held at India Gate lawns from 11.00 AM to 10.00 PM, for the general public is free.